Timing device



May 19, 1936. c, QQPPAGE 2,0415323 TIMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l lllllll 5 fi INVENTOR. H I L l *l r &

A TTORNIQLS C. T. COPPAGE TIMING DEVICE May 19, 1936.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1933 INVENTOR.

f q, ATTORNEY 16 By 6' '7 E g awn-u Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in timing devices and provides a mechanism suitable for many and diversified uses, chief among which is that of timing of long distance telephone calls and local telephone calls in those localities where an extra charge is made for a conversation lasting longer than the specified time. The device also includes a registering mechanism which is manually operable by means of which accurate lo account can be kept of both long distance and local telephone calls.

' In addition to the above specified uses the device is suitable for the timing of appointments;

timing in connection with cooking and baking I5 in a kitchen; timing in connection with radio broadcasts and public speeches; timing in connection with school and classroom work; timing of medical and therapy treatments; useful in the photograph profession for the timing of the 20 development of films and prints; and in short the device is suitable and apt for use in keeping strict time account where the time element is an essence of importance.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved timing device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a timing device having many specific novel features of construction, the exact char acter of which will be hereinafter set forth.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a timing device in combination with registering means.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a timing device in combination with signalling means.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an easel or stand which constitutes supporting means for the timing device and which is provided with a drawer for the reception of a note pad, calendar or other desk equipment.

Other specific objects, novel features of construction and improved results of the invention will appear in more detail from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the improved device.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a front plan view of the plate carrying the timing device. a

Fig. 4 is a side or edge view of the device 55 appearing in Figure 3.

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Fig. 6 is a detailed view in front elevation of the alarm releasing trigger.

Fig. '7 is a view in end elevation of the alarm releasing trigger.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the timer pointer.

Fig. 9 is an end view of the timer pointer.

Having reference to the drawings, in which like parts carry similar reference numerals throughout the description, A constitutes a stand or case of a size suitable to be placed upon a desk and comprises a base portion I from which extend uprights 2 between which is supported the plate B which carries the timing mechanism. The uprights 2 are of considerable width so that a housing is formed between them by the provision of a case back 3 and an aluminum or other suitable dial plate 4.

A drawer C is slidable in the base I of the case and a double hinged pad holder 5 is positioned at the front edge of the base and is provided with finger grasps 6 by means of which it can be swung upon its pivotal support I so as to bring its under side into position for use or reference. This pad holder can carry a calendar or a telephone number index reference or any other suitable like reference medium which would be found useful to the user. It will be of course understood that the drawer C can likewise be put to use as a receptacle for anything which the user would desire to have handy upon his or her desk.

Having reference now to the mechanical constructions making up the timing device and which appear best illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that D represents an ordinary spring operated clock or timing mechanism mounted upon the rear wall of the plate B. A wheel or pulley 8 having a grooved peripheral edge 9 is mounted upon and rotatable with the minute hand spindle ll! of the clock. A vertically disposed guide tube II is supported between the horizontally disposed brackets IZ which are formed of pieces cut out of the supporting plate B. The timer pointer I3 is slidable upon this guide 2 and is moved thereon by means of an endless cord or belt M to which it has attachment. This cord or belt passes around the wheel 8 in its grooved peripheral edge and over the grooved pulleys I5 and I6 which are mounted at the opposite ends of the guide tube I I.

By reference to Figure 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the dial plate is provided with a rectangular opening I1 along one edge of which are suitable calibrated markings I8 which represent from zero to sixteen minutes. One end of the pointer I3 moves over these calibrated markings for the purpose of indicating the passage of time just as the minute hand of a clock will do.

A lever I9 is pivotally mounted as at 20 and at one end carries a finger 2| adapted to engage the balance wheel 22 of the clock, as clearly indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings. The opposite end of the lever carries a handle 23 by means of which the lever can be swung upon its pivot. This mechanism constitutes the starting and stopping means for the timing device. With the parts in the position illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings all movement of the clock works is arrested by reason of the engagement of the finger 2| with the balance wheel. When it is desired to start the timing device the handle 23 is pushed upward thus swinging the finger downwardly out of engagement with the balance wheel.

In this downward movement the finger not only releases the balance wheel but at the same time gives the balance wheel what might be termed a kick, so as to assure that the clock works will start their operation.

As the timing device is intended to operate only over a limited time period, and as it will be desirable to start the timing device from zero at each operation, the wheel 8 is provided with a handle 24 accessible from the front of the dial plate by means of which the wheel can be rotated backwardly so as to carry the timer pointer down to the zero minute marking on the dial face.

It is desirable to provide an alarm in combination with the timing mechanism and to this end there is provided within the housing 25 a spiral spring by means of which the housing is rotatable. At its outer edge the housing is in the form of a gear in that it is provided with teeth 21 which engage the toothed pinion 28 which is adapted to rotate the larger gear wheel 29 which is mounted with it on a common shaft 30. 3| indicates an escapement carried by an elongated wire or rod 32 which intermediate its length carries a striker 33 adapted to contact and strike the bell 34. The free end 35 of the escapement lever or arm 32 has engagement with a rod 36 which is vertically disposed and passes behind the opening I! in the dial face in parallelism with the timer pointer guide tube l I. This rod passes through the brackets 12 and on its lower end carries a coil spring 31 which bears against the under side of the lower bracket and tends at all times to pull the rod 36 downwardly and thus hold the escapement 3| in a locked position. A trigger E is movably positionable upon the rod 36. This trigger includes finger pieces 38 and 39 and by means of these members the frictional engagement of the trigger with the rod can be released so as to position the trigger at any desired point on the rod. This trigger includes an extending pointer-like portion 43, one end of which is in the path of travel of the timer pointer l3.

From the description thus far given, assuming that the device is being used to time a telephone call, when a telephone conversation is started the handle 23 is pushed upwardly thus releasing the balance wheel of the clock and starting the clock works in motion. The rotation of the clock works will of course rotate the wheel 8 and cause the endless belt or cord l4 to move the timer pointer upwardly. The device being on the desk in front of the person telephoning and therefore in his constant vision, he will be advised at all times as to just how long he has talked and assuming that he wishes to make only a three minute call, he will be advised at all times just how much of his time on the call is left to him. Each of the graduations at the side of the opening l! in the dial face represents one minute in time and as the telephone conversation proceeds he can keep close tab on the passage of time by merely watching the timer pointer move upwardly over the dial graduations.

On the possibility that the user might wish to know definitely when a certain time period has lapsed, the alarm mechanism is provided. By reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the alarm is set for nine minutes. When the timer pointer reaches the nine minute indication it will engage the portion 49 of the trigger E and elevate the rod 35 against the tension of the spring 31 and thus release the escapement 3i which will cause a ringing of the bell 34.

Obviously if a sound alarm is not desired the flash of an electric light could be substituted for the sound mechanism illustrated in the drawings. The engagement of the time pointer with the trigger E could be made to close an electric circuit which would cause the lighting of a light in the place of the sounding of a bell.

It is further to be understood that although a spring actuated clock has been illustrated and described an electric clock could be substituted in place thereof.

Horizontally disposed across the upper edge of the dial face there are openings 4|, 42 and 43 behind which are suitably mounted the wheels M 42 and 43 each of which carries on its face numerals in rotation from zero to nine just as is common in respect to all registering mechanisms. Each wheel is toothed as indicated at #34, there being one tooth for each numeral designation on the wheel. The tooth of the wheel 43 and the tooth of the wheel 42 opposite the numeral 9 carries a pin 45. A handle 46 is positioned on the dial face convenient for manual operation and is provided with a finger 4'! adapted to engage the teeth of the wheel 4W.

From the construction just described it will be apparent that rotation of the handle 46 will cause rotation of the wheel 4! and that upon each complete revolution of the wheel M the wheel 42 will be moved one-tenth of a revolution, as

is the common operation found in respect to registers. Thus if each time the user of the device makes a telephone call he operates the handle 43 there will be registered behind the openings 45, 42 and 43 a total of the long distance calls made.

To provide manual means for registering the number of local calls made I provide the registering wheels 48, 49, 50 and which are positioned behind the openings 52 horizontally disposed along the lower edge of the dial plate. These wheels are manually operable by the bandle 53 in exactly the same manner as has been described in respect to the wheels 4 I, 42 and 43.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided a timing device which is cheap and simple of manufacture and operation yet highly efiicient in use, and that the device is one which can be used advantageously in a great many different ways.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An improved timing device, comprising a, plate having thereon time designations arranged in vertical sequence and alignment, a pointer all movable over said designations, a clock works, operative connection between said pointer and said clock works for moving said pointer in timed. relationship therewith, a normally locked ala a release for said alarm including an elonga rod paralleling the of travel of said time pointer, an upward movement of said rod actuating said release to sound alarm, res---ent means tending to hold said rod against upward movement, a finger adjustably positionable upon said rod, and said finger extending into the path of travel of said time pointer, for the purpose described.

2. An improved timing device, comprising a housing having in its front wall an elongated opening along one edge of which are arranged time designations, a guide beneath said opening throughout the length thereof, a time pointer movable on said guide and over said time designations, a plate within said housin and arranged in separated parallel relation to the front wall of said housing, a clock works mounted on the rear wall of said plate and having its minute hand spindle extending through said plate and carrying a pulley, pulleys mounted on the front wall of said plate and positioned below the ends of the elongated opening in the nt wall of the housing, an endless belt trained over the clock driven pulley and the: two supplemental pulleys, said time pointer being connected to movable with said endless belt, means operable from the front of the front housing wall for starting and stopping said clock works.

3. An improved timing device, comprising a plate having therein an elongated opening along one edge of which are arranged .rne designations in sequence, a guide bar positioned beneath said opening throughout the length thereof, a time pointer movable upon said and having a finger movable over said time designations, a spring driven clock works having a driven spindle, a pulley mounted on and rotatable with said spindle, a supplemental pulley positioned at and below each end of the elongated opening of the plate, an endless belt trained over said clock pulley and over said supplemental pulleys, said time pointer being connected to and movable with said belt, and manual means operable from the front of said plate for starting and stopping said clock works.

4. An improved device, comprising a housing of an inverted T shape, the horizontal portion or head comprising the supporting base of the housing, the vertical leg of the housing having a front plate provided with a vertically elongated opening along one edge of which are arranged time designations in vertical sequence and alignment, a guide rod supported by said front plate and positioned below and extending throughout the length of said elongated opening, a time pointer movable on said guide and over said time designations, a second plate positioned within said housing behind the front plate thereof and in separated parallel relationship thereto, a clock works having a spindle extending into the space between the said plates, a pulley mounted on said spindle in the space between the plates and rotatable with said spindle, supplemental pulleys positioned in the space between the plates and arranged below the opposite ends of the elongated opening of the front plate, an endless belt trained over said clock pulley and over said supplemental pulleys, and said time pointer being connected to and movable with said belt, for the purpose described.

5. An improved timing device, comprising a plate having thereon time designations arranged in sequence and alignment, a pointer movable over said designations, a motor, operative connection between said pointer and said motor for moving said pointer in timed relationship therewith, a normally locked alarm, a release for said alarm including an elongated rod paralleling the path of travel of said time pointer, a movement of said rod actuating said release to sound said alarm, resilient means tending to hold said rod against movement, a finger adjustably positionable upon said rod, and said finger extending into the path of travel of said time pointer, for the purpose described.

6. An improved device, comprising a plate having thereon time designations, a pointer hand movable over said designations, a motor, operative connection between said pointer and said motor for moving said pointer in timed relationf ship therewith, an alarm, an operating means for said alarm, said operating means having a trigger in the path of travel of said pointer, said operating means including a rod which parallels the entire length of travel of said pointer, and said trigger carried by said rod and having quickly releasable frictional locking engagement with the rod to provide quick adjustability of the trigger along the rod, whereby the pointer can be made to sound the alarm at a predetermined selected time.

7; An improved timing device, comprising a plate having thereon time designations, a pointer movable over said designations, a motor for actuating said pointer, a mechanically operated signal, an actuator for said signal including an elongated reciprocal rod, and a finger adjustably positioned on said rod and having a portion extending into the path of travel of said time pointer, whereby the finger reciprocates the rod for the purpose described.

8. An improved device, comprising a housing of an inverted T-shape, the horizontal portion or head comprising the supporting base of the housing, the vertical leg of the housing having a front plate provided with an elongated opening along one edge of which are arranged time designations in sequence, a guide rod positioned below and extending throughout the length of said elongated opening, a time pointer movable on said guide and over said time designations, a second plate positioned within said housing behind the front plate thereof and in separated parallel relationship thereto, a motor having a spindle extending into the space between the said plates, a pulley mounted on said spindle in the space between the plates and rotatable with said spindle, supplemental pulleys positioned in the space between the plates and arranged below the opposite ends of the elongated opening of the front plate, an endless b it trained over said motor pulley and over said supplemental pulleys, and said time pointer being connected to and movable with said belt, for the purpose described.

CARROLL TRENCHARD COPPAGE. 

